Transform Your Trials
Transforming Suffering: Mother Angelica's Scriptural Guidance for Finding Joy in Trials
Suffering with Christ brings future joy and gladness when His glory is revealed.
“Suffering is something we love to talk about when it is ours, but dislike hearing about when it belongs to someone else. We can see it work wonders in the lives of others but have no use for it in our own. We can see the wisdom of God chastising our enemies but think of Him as cruel when we are afflicted.”
-Mother Angelica
For example, consider a situation where your friend loses their job. You might encourage them, saying it’s an opportunity for growth and finding something better. However, if you lose your job, it feels devastating and unfair, and you may struggle to see any positive outcome. This illustrates how we can easily see the benefits of suffering in others’ lives but find it challenging to accept in our own.
3 Main Points about Transforming Suffering
The Inescapable Reality of Suffering Since Adam and Eve
Since the beginning with Adam and Eve, humans have tried to avoid suffering, yet it follows us everywhere we go, making escape impossible.
Transforming Suffering into Growth
Mother Angelica teaches us to see suffering as spiritual growth through Scripture, echoing the apostles’ call to rejoice in trials as a privilege.
Embracing Suffering: A Customized Privileged Opportunity from Jesus
No matter the suffering, saints saw it as a customized, specific, privileged opportunity from Jesus, inviting us to grow in His grace. He’d never ask anything not worth it, as our God is a loving Father after all.
How did saints view suffering, according to the teachings of Mother Angelica and the apostles?
Answer: Privileged Opportunity for Spiritual Growth
Saints saw suffering as a unique opportunity from Jesus to grow in grace, believing He asks nothing unworthy. Mother Angelica teaches us to turn suffering into spiritual growth, echoing the apostles’ call to rejoice in trials.
Transformative Insights on Suffering by Mother Angelica
Mother Angelica’s book offers transformative advice on understanding suffering, recognizing its redemptive power, and finding spiritual growth even in dryness and silence.
Jesus wants us to finish what is lacking?
Answer: Click Button to Review St. Paul's response
Scripture Quotes on Suffering and Rejoicing in Trials
① 1 Peter 4:13: “But if you partake of the sufferings of Christ, rejoice that when his glory shall be revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”
② Romans 5:3-4: “And not only so; but we glory also in tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience trial; and trial hope.”
③ Philippians 1:29: “For unto you it is given for Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.”
④ Acts 5:41: “And they indeed went from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were accounted worthy to suffer reproach for the name of Jesus.”
⑤ 2 Corinthians 4:17: “For that which is at present momentary and light of our tribulation, worketh for us above measure exceedingly an eternal weight of glory.”
⑥ Philippians 3:10: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death.”
⑦ Colossians 1:24: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.”
Review of 5 Scripture Quotes from St. Peter and St. Paul
“But if you partake of the sufferings of Christ, rejoice that when his glory shall be revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”
-St. Peter (1 Peter 4:13)
Suffering with Christ brings future joy and gladness when His glory is revealed.
“And not only so; but we glory also in tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience trial; and trial hope.”
-St. Paul to the Romans (Romans 5:3-4)
- “And not only so; but we glory also in tribulations”: This means that we rejoice or take pride not only in our blessings and positive experiences but also in our sufferings and hardships.
- “Knowing that tribulation worketh patience”: We understand that facing difficulties helps us develop patience and endurance. The experience of going through tough times teaches us to be patient and steadfast.
- “And patience trial”: The patience developed through enduring tribulations leads to a tested and proven character. The term “trial” here signifies the process of proving or testing something, showing that our patience has been refined and strengthened through challenges.
- “And trial hope”: This tested character then leads to hope. The hope mentioned here is a confident expectation and trust in God’s promises, which becomes stronger as our character is refined through trials and patience.
“For unto you it is given for Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.”
-St. Paul to the Philippians (Philippians 1:29)
1. Gift of Faith:
- The verse emphasizes that believing in Christ is a gift granted by God, highlighting the privilege and honor of faith.
2. Suffering as a Part of Faith:
- It underscores that suffering for Christ is also a part of the Christian experience, suggesting that trials and hardships are integral to following Him.
3. Sharing in Christ’s Experience:
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- By mentioning suffering, it aligns believers with Christ’s own sufferings, fostering a deeper connection and solidarity with Him through shared experiences of hardship.
“For that which is at present momentary and light of our tribulation, worketh for us above measure exceedingly an eternal weight of glory.”
-St. Paul to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 4:17)
Temporary Hardships:
- The verse acknowledges that current troubles are temporary and not overly burdensome, suggesting that difficulties we face now won’t last forever.
Purpose of Suffering:
- It emphasizes that these hardships have a purpose, working for our benefit and helping us grow in ways that have eternal significance.
Eternal Reward:
- The verse highlights that enduring these temporary struggles leads to an “eternal weight of glory,” implying that the reward in heaven far outweighs any present suffering.
“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.”
-St. Paul to the Colossians (Colossians 1:24 )
Paul’s joy in suffering for the Church, suggesting that his hardships help complete Christ’s work. It emphasizes the redemptive value of suffering when united with Christ’s afflictions.
In “Salvifici Doloris,” Pope St. John Paul II wrote: “In Colossians 1:24, Paul expresses the concept of the redemptive value of suffering, indicating that human suffering, when accepted and offered up in union with Christ’s Passion, becomes a participation in the saving work of Jesus.”